Sprague rallies to support Porter family

Sometimes it just seems like life is not fair. That would be the attitude I would expect the Porter family to have at this point in time, especially Timmy, who is 22 years old and recovering from a devastating automobile accident. However, that is not the attitude this young man is embracing. According to his step-mom June Porter, it has been Tim’s good spirits and positive attitude that have helped the rest of the family to cope with his devastating diagnosis.

On Sept. 16, Tim lost control of and was thrown from his automobile in Oroville, Wash. He was flown to Harborview in Seattle where the doctors diagnosed him with cracked C5 and C6 vertebrae and a spinal cord that was hanging on by a quarter of an inch (almost completely severed). He has no feeling or ability to move his body from the chest down, and he has limited control of his arms and wrists. This means he can have a tool strapped onto his arm and then use that tool, but he has no ability to grip with his hands or use his fingers. He is currently going through therapy, so he can better learn to live with these limits and gain as much independence as possible.

The doctors are also very uncertain as to what his future holds. His spine currently has swelling that could take up to 10 years to completely go down. As this swelling goes down, he may regain function or he may lose the little function he has in his arms. According to the doctors, he could lose more function when the swelling goes down because the swelling may be what is holding the fragile pieces of his spine together.

The Porter family, June and Charlie and their daughter Charlee, have been traveling and staying close to Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle as often as possible since the accident occurred. Their new routine involves June and Charlee packing up and driving over after work on Wednesday to relieve Charlie of being the main support role for Tim.

During this time, they take turns staying at the hospital or at a nearby hotel. They are in the process of trying to prepare their home in Lamont so Tim can move in with them. They need to have the doors in and outside the house wheelchair accessible and their bathroom needs to be remodeled so he can wheel in and out of their shower.

Unfortunately, our community cannot take back the events that have made Tim disabled nor can we remove the family’s grief and anguish from this tragedy. However, we as a community can at least try to help the Porters with the costs of traveling, remodeling, and lost wages. In an attempt to help the Porter’s financially, there will be a fundraising breakfast held on Dec. 9 at Sprague High School from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please bring your family and friends and make a donation to the Porter’s cause. If you can’t attend and would like to help, there are jars set up around town (Kathy’s Market and the Viking) where donations can be made.

If you have questions or would like to help with this effort please call Liz Melville at 257-2635 or Judy Boutain at 257-2515.

Liz Melville, Sprague Community Newsletter